The Greatness of Hinduism

[Preety_India]

Only today I realize how great Hinduism really is.

 

 

[Preety_India]

I really want to get deeper into Hinduism.

I derive inspiration from many Gods like Shiva, Ganesh, Lakshmi, Santoshi, Kali and Allah.

These gods are fascinating and they are making sense to me.

 

[Preety_India]

The size and purpose of these temples and statues is baffling

 

[Preety_India]

Two things impact a home

• Lack of brotherhood
• Evil spirits

Two things protect a home

• Brotherhood
• Prayer of protection from evil/bad omen

 

 

[Preety_India]

 

What according to me is the true essence of Hinduism

 

• Might, greatness, heroism 
• Justice and karma 
• Duty and dharma 
• Mercy 
• Protective authority not destructive authority
• Truth oriented
• Rebellion and justice (revenge )
• The noble path not the ego path 
• Not authority oriented but growth/empowerment oriented.
• Love and compassion and kindness
• Protective of innocent 
• Hinduism is not tribal
• Creating fear in the Monster or Evil doer.
• Protection from evil spirits
• Justice against those who do bad karma 

 

 

It is mostly a masculine religion.

Hinduism is an example of positive masculinity

 

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by Preety_India

[Preety_India]

 

It makes sense now why an elephant is a huge symbol in Hinduism.

 

[Preety_India]

 

Hinduism also focuses on high consciousness and 

On high consciousness throughout the whole SD spiral as well as integrating different beneficial aspects of each stage.

This is like the Nerdy part of Hinduism

 

[Preety_India]

But there is an innate spiritual Protectiveness in Hinduism.

An innate innocence.

 

[Preety_India]

Another fascinating aspect of Hinduism is that it focuses on

-Not hurting anyone

-Not breaking trust

- not inflicting pain

- not doing bad karma 

 

 

[Preety_India]

 

 

Carl Sagan on Hinduism

 

[Preety_India]

 

 

GODDESS BHAVANI:

 

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Bhavani is considered to be the violent incarnation of Goddess Shakti or Devi. Notwithstanding she is also Karunaswaropini and ‘karunai’means mercy. As such she is one filled with mercy in the shades of Durga and Kali’s sentiments over Her devotees. Adi Shankara’s says it all in his Bhavani Ashtakam in pure and simple words. Bhavani’s other names bring various meanings. Bhavani Devi also personifies Aadi Parashakti. The bhava of Bhavani is the internal power of Lord Shiva. In that sense Bhavani is Mother Parvathi. 

 

Bhavani is also the source of creative energy. She is also known as Tulaja, Turaja, Tvarita and Amba. In Gujarat she takes the form of Keshar Bhavani. Goddess Bhavani is also considered as swayambhu or self-born when venerated as Lord Siva’s consort. According to Adi Shankaracharya, devotees who recite Bhavani’s name everyday with true devotion, will not acquire sorrow, illness, unexpected death. Bhavani is the goddess invoked by women in labor. The ritual was to burn perfume in her honor. As Mother, Bhavani overseas the welfare of women and her children. 

 

DEVI BHAGAVATAM states that Bhavani Devi is the original form of Aadhi Parashakti. She is sister to Sri Krishna. Maha Vishnu does penance to seek Devi’s aid for to Krishna avatar. As a result, Devi is born to Yasodha as Krishna’s sister. In the Tamil tradition Bhavani Devi in her personification is known as Magamaaye. 'Maga' is the corruption 'Maha' meaning great. 'Ayi' means mother or grandmother. Thus she is the Great Mother. Goddess Bhavani symbolises her links with Vishnu and Krishna by holding a Sanghu – conch and Chakra. In all the implications are a brother-sister relationship with Sri Vishnu's avatars Sri Krishna.

 

LALITHA SAHASRANAMAM:

 

Also known as Rahsya Nama Sahasra, purports that Bhavani is the Deity that always helps devotees and gives Mukti.. Lalitha Sahasranamam Stotram appears in Brahmanda Purana in the chapter of discussion between Sage Agasthya and Hayagriva, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the horse head. At his request of sage Agastya, Hayagreeva taught him Lalita Sahasranamam Stotram or the most holy 1000 names of Goddess Lalitha, the Goddess of bliss. 

 

DEPICTION: The Goddess Bhavani has eight arms in which she holding weapons, bearing the head of the slain. The lowermost right hand holds a trident, the next one holds a dagger, above this an arrow and the uppermost right hand wields the chakra. The uppermost left hand holds a shankh, next one a bow, the third one carries a bowl and the lower most left band holds the granny knot of bare on the head of the asur. The right leg of Goddess Bhavani is planted firmly on the body of Mahishasur and left one is on the ground. Between these two legs, the head of the asur is gripped by lower left arm. The Vahana of Goddess Bhavani is a Lion and on the backrest carved the sun and the moon on left and right sides of the Devi.

 

BHAVANI TEMPLE IN TULJAPUR:

 

This is the second among the 'Shaktipeeths'. The Tulja Bhavani of Tuljapur contains the family deity of the Bhosale kings. Shivaji always visited the temple to seek her blessings. It is believed that the Goddess gifted him a sword - 'the Bhawani sword' - for success in his expeditions. Maurya warriors are from the Suryavansha or solar clan. Goddess Bhavani is their Kuadaivat or clan deity. 

 

The temple origins are traced back from mythology. The demon Matanga wreaked havoc upon devas and humans. They approach Brahma for relieving from this predicament. Brahma in turn approached Mother Goddess Shakti. As Bhavani, Mother takes the form of Destroyer. Together with the Sapta Maataas, Varahi, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Kaumari, Indrani and Saambhavi, Mother vanquished the demon. Bhavani also vanquished Mahishasura who took the form of a wild buffalo. Thereafter she took abode on the Yamunachala hill. 

 

SKANDA PURANA:

 

History of the Tuljapur Temple is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. There was a sage known as "Kardam" After his death his wife "Anubuti" had performed a penance at the banks of river "mandakini " for Bhavani mata to look after her infant child. While performing the penance the demon known "Kukur" tried to disturb her penance during which Mata Bhavani came to the aid of "Anubuti" and killed the demon "Kukur". From that day onwards the Goddess Bhavani came to be known as Tulja Bhavani. 

 

The Tuljapur Temple is on the slopes of the Sahadri range in Maharashtra near Sholapur. The temple has a history since the 12th century. Here Goddess Bhavani is depicted uniquely with a beautiful smiling face. It is said that the face of Sati had fallen in Tuljapur because of which the goddess is decorated in such a way that only her face is visible after covering her with sarees and ornaments. She has no clothes carved on her upper body. The goddess is asta-bhuja in the styles of Durga with eight hands. As Parvati, she has a self-manifested swayambhu Shiv-lingam in her crown with flowing from it. She has an arrow holder on her back. Her victory over Mahishasur represented by the sun and moon. The lion vahana stands near her. The idol is self manifested and movable. It is moved three times a year from its place to the bedroom of Maa Bhavani. Below the lion, sage Markandeya is chanting the durga-saptashati shlokas. 

 

NAVARATHRI:

 

Goddess Shakti is worshipped in her nine forms. These Goddesses are also revered independently but Mother worship has its essence in Mother Shakti or Mother Aadhi Parashakti. Navarathri Goddesses: (1) Goddess Durga – Also known as Maa Durga is an embodiment of creative feminine force and is regarded as "the invincible" one. (2) Goddess Bhadrakali – Goddess Bhadra Kali is one of the most popular forms of the Goddess Shakti as mentioned in Devi Mahatmyam. (3) Goddess Amba - Also known as Jagadamba is another form of Goddess Shakti and is regarded as the Mother of the universe (4) Goddess Annapurna – Also known as Annapoorna is an avatar of the Divine Mother and is the Goddess of Harvests. Anna literally means food and grains and “Purna” means complete or full. Hence Goddess Annapurna is the one who bestows food in plenty. (5) Goddess Sarvamangala – Another form of Goddess Shakthi. As Sarvamangala, Devi bestows joy (mangal) to everything (sarva). (6) Goddess Bhairavi – Bhairavi is a fierce form of the Goddess. Devi took this avatar when she became the consort of the Bhairava.(7) Goddess Chandika – Also known as Chandi or Durga Sapthashati Chandika is the supreme Goddess of Devi Mahatmya. Goddess Chandi is described as the Supreme reality, who is a combination of Maha Lakshmi, Mahakali, and Maha Saraswati. (8) Goddess Lalita – Also known as Shodashi, Rajarajeshvari, or Tripura Sundari, Goddess Lalitha is one of the group of Ten Goddesses of Hindu belief, collectively called mahavidyas. (9) Goddess Bhavani - Bhavani literally means "giver of life" is a ferocious form of the Goddess Parvati Devi. (10) Goddess Mookambika - On the 10th day of Navarathri festival, Goddess Shakti is worshipped as Mookambika Devi, the manifestation of Goddess Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi.

 

BHAVANI BHUJANGAM:

 

‘Bujangam’ means body. Bhavani Bujangam is composed by Adi Shankaracharya praising the glorious beauty of Goddess Bhavani from ‘head to toe’. Shankara also stated that by repeating the holy names of Bhavani with pure devotion, one would attain salvation and get rid of sorrow, passion, sin and fear.

 

BHAVANI ASHTAKAM

composed by Adi Shakraracharya: 

 

Neither the mother nor the father,

Neither the relation nor the friend,

Neither the son nor the daughter,

Neither the servant nor the husband,

Neither the wife nor the knowledge,

And neither my sole occupation,

Are my refuges that I can depend, Oh, Bhavani,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.

 

 

I am in this ocean of birth and death,

I am a coward, who dare not face sorrow,

I am filled with lust and sin,

I am filled with greed and desire,

And tied I am, by the this useless life that I lead,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.

 

 

Neither do I know how to give,

Nor do I know how to meditate,

Neither do I know Thanthra,

Nor do I know stanzas of prayer,

Neither do I know how to worship,

Nor do I know the art of yoga,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani

 

 

Know I not how to be righteous,

Know I not the way to the places sacred,

Know I not methods of salvation,

Know I not how to merge my mind with God,

Know I not the art of devotion,

Know I not how to practice austerities, Oh, mother,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani

 

Perform I bad actions,

Keep I company of bad ones,

Think I bad and sinful thoughts,

Serve I Bad masters,

Belong I to a bad family,

Immersed I am in sinful acts,

See I with bad intentions,

Write I collection of bad words,

Always and always,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani.

 

 

Neither Do I know the creator,

Nor the Lord of Lakshmi,

Neither do I know the lord of all,

Nor do I know the lord of devas,

Neither do I know the God who makes the day,

Nor the God who rules at night,

Neither do I know any other Gods,

Oh, Goddess to whom I bow always,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani

 

While I am in a heated argument,

While I am immersed in sorrow,

While I am suffering an accident,

While I am travelling far off,

While I am in water or fire,

While I am on the top of a mountain,

While I am surrounded by enemies,

And while I am in a deep forest,

Oh Goddess, I always bow before thee,

So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani

 

While being an orphan,

While being extremely poor,

While affected by disease of old age,

While I am terribly tired,

While I am in a pitiable state,

While I am being swallowed by problems,

And While I suffer serious dangers,

I always bow before thee,

So you are my refuge and only refuge, Bhavani

 

Jai Maa Bhavani

 

[Demeter]

@Preety_India , there are many wonderful things in Hinduism as there are awful things too. It is often divisive, casteist, elitist, sexist and racist. I abhor how Hinduism is being used in India at present as superior to Christianity and Islam for political reasons. Self-styled vigilantes turn onto lynch mobs in the name of Hinduism.

I hate how the Brahmins consider themselves as a superior caste, deny women the right to officiate ceremonies and discriminate against women and other castes in the name of religion. This has become integral to Hinduism - and it is nothing to be proud of.

[Preety_India]

@Demeter I am aware of the negative stuff already. But I'm focusing on the positive aspects of it. 

There are bad things in every religion. But I always focus on the good parts of every religion. 

I have written journals on the greatness of Christianity and Islam as well. 

Every religion has something good as well as something bad. I never said that it is superior to any religion. I simply focus on the great teachings of every religion 

 

Edited January 23, 2022 by Preety_India